A major employer in the Comox Valley has closed its doors, but those in the plumbing and heating industry say they don’t see any disruption in service for clients.
Torry and Sons Plumbing & Heating went into receivership around mid-September, and those working for the family-run business are now left to find other employment.
“They decided to call it quits about a week ago,” said Brian Findlay, president of Andrew Sheret Limited, a B.C.-based plumbing and heating supply company.
“Personally, we’re sorry to lose them … but we’re optimistic about the plumbing and heating industry in the North Island.”
Calls to the company were not returned to the Record.
In 1981, Bill Torry established Torry and Sons Plumbing & Heating, with a larger team expanding the heating department in the 1990s.
The company opened a sheet metal shop under the name of VI Mechanical, allowing the various facets of their business — plumbing, heating and sheet metal fabrication — to work together.
In the 2000s, Torry and Sons and VI Mechanical merged into one company, while acquiring a fire-protection business.
In 2006, ownership of the company changed to Scott Torry and Brian Farnham.
According to their website, the company employed more than 150 people on Vancouver Island, and had two offices — one in Courtenay and one in Nanaimo.
Findlay explained he has seen the various ups and downs of the industry, but added some former employees have decided to go out on their own and start their own businesses.
“(The closing) doesn’t change our business plans, but the one thing with the plumbing industry is that things can’t be left too long. When someone runs out of hot water, they want a hot water tank really quickly.
“(Torry and Sons) were definitely part of the industry, but I don’t see any disruption in the Comox Valley.”
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
